Friends Like These Read online

  “Doesn’t matter,” Tilly and Eliza said in unison before grinning at each other.

  Leigh looked at Lucas. “Should we warn them?”

  “No, I think watching these two at work is a lot more fun. If nothing else, it will teach Betsy a valuable lesson about listening to Tilly from the get-go.”

  “Why do I get the feeling I was just insulted?” Tilly asked.

  “That wasn’t an insult,” Lucas said. “That was the truth.”

  She arched an eyebrow at him. “The truth can still be an insult.”

  “It wasn’t an insult,” he insisted. “We love that about you. That you’re so protective and…”

  “Intense?” Leigh helpfully suggested.

  “I personally would have gone with batcrap crazy,” Loren teased. “But then again, I’ve known this lady a lot longer than the rest of you.”

  “Gee, thanks, sis.”

  She blew Tilly a kiss. “You know I love you.”

  “Love you, too. Lucky for you.”

  “Well,” Lucas said, “the night is still young and there’s still fun to be had. Everyone get back to whatever kinky stuff you were doing.”

  “I was going to get my ass beat again,” Tilly groused.

  “Me, too,” Loren said.

  Leigh laughed. “Loren, Tilly could beat your ass for you.”

  “Hell, no,” Loren said.

  Tilly turned to her. “Excuse me?”

  “Oh, come on. You don’t hit like a girl.”

  “Oh. That was a compliment, right?”

  “Yes, sis. It certainly was.”

  * * * *

  Leigh wished she could make Tilly feel better about being left behind and excluded from the douche detail, but she understood how her friend’s mind worked. Well, she understood Tilly as well as anyone who wasn’t Landry or Cris could understand her. It was tough being forced to sit back and not be able to help.

  Leigh had that feeling more than once over the past year with Nick. One of the things Nick had insisted on, and Lucas had agreed with, was that they couldn’t fight his battles for him. Not in the press, not with fans, and certainly not with the paparazzi, who might even go so far sometimes as to try to goad them into a reaction.

  Nick being a star in the public eye was like painting a target in the middle of his forehead. She had to learn to ignore bad reviews, fan comments—everything. That it was part and parcel of what he did, the dark side of the coin, so to speak. He got paid a hell of a lot of money to do what he wanted to do for a living, but there was always a price to be paid. Paid with their privacy, and with having to tolerate and ignore sometimes absurd tabloid claims about him.

  And Leigh hated it. Hated like hell that only she and Lucas really got to see the true Nick, the beautiful person he was inside and out.

  No one else would understand. Well, other than their friends. The public at large would get whipped up into a frenzy by the paparazzi if the salacious truth were ever told about him.

  She also despised it when tabloids tried to link him to starlets or his costars. She knew the truth about her man, that he was devoted to her and Lucas and would never cheat on them.

  Leigh made her way back onto the lanai, where Scrye was just finishing up his scene with June. Leigh loved watching them play, loved how he tied June, loved his skill with rope.

  She rested her hands on her belly and wondered how long until she started to show, until they’d have to scale back their own play, what they were able to do, anyway.

  The next couple of months, Nick had a rigorous film schedule to adhere to. There wouldn’t be a lot of play time for the three of them even when they could be together. Sometimes, Lucas would be able to accompany Nick, and sometimes it would be her. And because of the film, what play they did do, with Nick, anyway, they’d have to be very careful not to leave suspicious marks on him.

  She knew Nick could cut back on his film schedule, but that would also mean a decrease in income. She couldn’t argue with his logic of wanting to bank as much as he could while he could to ensure their future.

  Theirs, and that of their child.

  Or…children.

  Tilly followed her out and plopped down next to her. “I know I’m probably going to regret this, since last time I sat down next to you I ended up roped into going to work for you.”

  Leigh tipped her head over onto Tilly’s shoulder. “But you get to Domme me. Sort of. Vanilla-wise.”

  Tilly slung an arm around her. “Yeah, well, you might be regretting that in a few months.”

  “You’re going to be a great assistant,” Leigh assured her. “I know you will.”

  “You have more faith in me and my talents than I do.”

  “No, it’s just that I know the kind of friend you are.” She hesitated. “Even if you were a crappy assistant,” she softly added, “I’d still want you out there with me. I need a friend more than I need anything. Especially with a baby on the way.”

  “Sweetie, I promise, I’m always going to be your friend. All three of us will. And I’ll never let you down in that way, at least.”

  “Thanks.”

  They went quiet for a moment, listening, watching the others around them. Then, Tilly spoke. “Hey, Leigh?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You think I could scare the crap out of some of those paparazzi if I went into full-on Mistress Cardinal mode with them?”

  “Probably.”

  She felt Tilly nod. “Cool.”

  * * * *

  It was nearly four o’clock in the morning by the time everything had been cleaned up and most of the others had returned. Betsy and her belongings were now safely ensconced at Nolan and Kenny’s house, with her sound asleep in their guest room after a shot of painkillers the ER doctors had given her. She’d refused to let the doctors admit her and insisted on leaving. A police report had been filed, and Jack would likely be arrested soon, if he hadn’t been already, meaning the initial plans to prep a team of friends to lie in wait at Kel’s apartment behind Venture could be called off.

  Actually, some of the Doms—and Tilly—seemed more than a little disappointed over that development. Sure, they had no problems with a submissive getting beaten black and blue, as long as the submissive wanted it.

  What Jack had done, apparently for a while, based on what Betsy had recounted, had left the line between consent and abuse miles back in the dust.

  Kenny and Nolan, with Gabe and Bill accompanying them, as well as Ed Payne, another kinky friend who happened to be an attorney, would take Betsy to file for an emergency restraining order in the morning once she was awake.

  Tilly had willingly handed off to Eliza, June, and Abbey the responsibility of coordinating the next few weeks of help for Betsy, making sure there was always going to be someone there for her when the men were at work, helping her get out and find a new job, be with her through the legal proceedings.

  Leigh had talked with Lucas and Nick, and the three of them agreed they wanted to buy Betsy a car. Nothing fancy, just a good, reliable used one she could get around in. Lucas would talk with Kenny and Nolan about it on Monday after they’d had a chance to better assess Betsy’s mental condition. She might not be in any state to be driving yet. They also didn’t want to cross the line from helping to enabling.

  Gabe would help Betsy get into a Sarasota battered woman’s support group she knew of via her work with the FDLE and their sex crimes division. They were all rooting for the young woman, and would throw as much support as they healthily could behind her to get through this.

  And yes, some of them were especially rooting for Kenny and Nolan and Betsy to become an item.

  As Leigh curled up in bed with Lucas and Nick, she wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep yet. She draped her arm over Lucas’ chest and kissed his shoulder.

  “Is that some sort of hint?” he teased.

  “Maaaybe.”

  “What kind of hint?” Nick asked as he rolled over and pressed his body along her back.<
br />
  She’d never get used to calling him Trevor Nichols. He would always be “Nick” to her. Always. Even when speaking about him to others, her mind was constantly doing a silent translation, calling him Nick in her head. So much so that she sometimes had to consciously think to refer to him as Trevor before speaking with someone.

  “The kind of hint that’s going to end with our girl filled with two cocks,” Lucas said as he rolled onto his side to face her.

  Her heart made a delicious barrel roll in her chest. Yes, Lucas was her husband, and her Master, but she also loved it when the men tag-teamed her. She was content to sexually be at the bottom of the dogpile, so to speak.

  Well, technically in the middle of the dogpile, but same thing. Yes, she and Nick belonged to Lucas, but they belonged to her, too. And her heart belonged to both of them.

  She felt Nick’s cock hardening along the seam of her ass, and that made her clit throb in reply. As she started a slow grind against Lucas’ thigh, he chuckled.

  “Oh, baby. At least for a few months, we can fuck like crazy without worrying about any accidents.”

  Yes, they could. She hadn’t had any bouts of morning sickness yet, but if what some of her friends had told her was true, that might put the kibosh on her ardor for wake-up sex. Her body never fully acclimated to California time, no matter how long she’d been out there, and when out there it wasn’t unusual for her to wake her men up in the sexiest way possible to make use of their morning wood.

  It meant she was usually crashing out earlier than everyone else, but then again, they weren’t exactly heavy party animals. It wasn’t uncommon for Nick to go make a brief appearance at a function and then slip away a few minutes later while the paparazzi were still trying to catch the new arrivals.

  They preferred taking their meals quiet and alone in their condo over dining at the center of a spectacle. There were a few restaurants they could go to, high-end places where they didn’t have to worry as much, but the freedom they had here in Florida was definitely missed.

  Now, even though technically morning, she still had a little frisky energy left to expend with her men.

  Lucas grabbed her by the waist and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. She straddled him, easily sliding his hard cock inside her pussy. In the dim light, she spotted his easy smile.

  “You really did want to play a little more, didn’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “Nick, go grab a towel, the lube, a condom, and the Hitachi, and let’s wear her out right.”

  She felt the bed move as he sprang out of it, returning moments later. During the wait, Lucas had her sit up, hands behind her head, elbows out, while he cupped her breasts in his hands and toyed with her nipples. It made her even hotter, because he wouldn’t let her move, wouldn’t let her fuck herself on his cock.

  Nick didn’t waste any time working lube into her ass with his fingers. Lucas pulled her down onto his chest, capturing her hands behind her back, holding them there with his arms around her.

  “Such a beautiful pet,” Lucas murmured in her ear. “And such a horny one. I can feel how horny you are.” In this position, her clit was now rubbing against his body, but she couldn’t move to do a damn thing about it.

  And now with the feel of Nick’s fingers prepping her ass, it made her even hornier.

  It didn’t take Nick long to get her ready, quickly sheathing his cock in a condom, lubing it, and then pressing the thick head against her rim. She wanted to wiggle, to rock herself against them, but Lucas was ready for that trick and held on tighter. He forced her to stay still while Nick slowly fucked himself into her ass, the feel of both of their cocks buried deep inside her a deliciously full feeling she never got enough of.

  Finally, she felt his thighs pressed against her. “Okay,” he said, sounding strained. “Not sure how long I’ll last, though.”

  “That’s okay,” Lucas said. “That’s what the vibrator is for. Take her arms.”

  Nick hauled her up, his arms hooked around her elbows and now holding her upright. Lucas picked up the Hitachi from where Nick had left it, plugged in and ready to run. He pressed it to her clit. Her lip caught under her teeth as she sucked in a breath of anticipation.

  Waiting…

  Waiting…

  Damn sadist.

  He smiled and flicked the switch. Set to high, it was like he’d lit a road flare in the middle of her nervous system. “Come for us, sweetheart.”

  Not like she could have held back, even if she’d tried. She’d already tipped over the edge when he’d started giving the command and her body quit obeying any orders her now-scrambled brain might have tried to relay. The feel of her body squeezing their cocks inside her, held immobile between her men, it all combined to send her skyrocketing into that deep pleasure zone she almost couldn’t handle.

  Almost.

  Lucas kept her there, soaring, sailing, her body completely under his and Nick’s control at that point. Nick was the only thing keeping her upright. After what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes, Lucas grinned.

  “Is my sweet pet ready to finish?”

  She managed a moaning nod in reply, which, luckily for her, was good enough for him. He turned off the vibrator and put it aside. “Let’s ride,” he told Nick.

  Nick released her arms, easing her back down onto Lucas. The two men only took a few strokes to settle into their rhythm, which pulled one final orgasm out of her, as it usually did.

  “Good girl,” Lucas grunted, thrusting, harder, faster, finally finishing just as Nick let out a similar groan behind her.

  Like an old steam engine grinding to a halt, they eventually fell still, all three of them breathing heavily and enjoying the glow. Nick finally withdrew and she heard him go to the bathroom to clean up. He returned a moment later with wipes and another towel, cleaning her up. She remained where she was, Lucas’ arms lightly draped over her, cuddling her against him, his softening cock still inside her.

  Finally, once Nick returned to bed, Lucas rolled them onto his side so she was nestled between them. He slowly, tenderly kissed her. “Love you, baby.”

  “Love you, too, Sir.” She tipped her head back for a good-night kiss from Nick. “Love you, too.”

  “Love you, baby.”

  Like this, the formalities dropped, it was like perfection capping off a dream of a day. Minus the rescue mission to help Betsy, which Leigh didn’t mind in the least.

  Had she not been pregnant, and had they not been the party hosts, she would have been begging her men for the three of them to go, too.

  But now, with the issue of her assistant handled—make that her new boss, because who was she kidding—Leigh knew she could relax. Yes, once Tilly got her feet under her, no doubt she’d be taking charge, taking names, and taking the town by storm.

  It meant Leigh could focus on her job and her impending delivery, relieved in the knowledge that at least in one way, her life had stabilized, trust restored, a variation of normalcy returned. Tilly would help keep her on an even keel and help keep her focused.

  When she’d worked as a paralegal, she’d never had problems with her job. She knew what she had to do, had no problems with people. But even she would admit she felt like the guppy dumped in a tank full of hungry sharks.

  Tilly would level the playing field.

  Yep, with a friend like Tilly by her side, Leigh knew she could finally relax.

  As she heard the sounds of her men drifting to sleep on either side of her, she closed her eyes and basked in the surety that there were going to be some really surprised people in Hollywood when Tilly took over as her assistant.

  And Leigh was going to enjoy having a front-row seat for every second of it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You’re awfully quiet back there, love,” Landry said from where he rode shotgun in the front passenger seat. “Are you still upset at us for making you stay behind?”

  “No, I get it. And we’ll be seeing the
m tomorrow so I can check on her. I really wish you guys had put your feet down and made her stay at the hospital. If she’s got a concussion, she should be under observation. You should have called me and put me on the phone with her.”

  “It wasn’t our decision,” Cris said.

  “Is that why you’re upset?” Landry asked.

  “No.”

  “Then what’s wrong, love? I can play this game all night, and you know it.”

  “Nothing.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a nothing,” Cris said.

  “No, really. I’m fine. I’m still reeling about getting hooked up with Leigh as her assistant, but other than that, yeah, I’m good. Although punching Jack in the snoot would have been very satisfying.”

  “I think this job will be good for you,” Landry told her. “I truly do. Again, Cris and I can travel with you, back and forth, take turns. Leigh will be spending more time in Florida closer to her due date as well. And let’s face it, you enjoy a challenge.”

  “I do.” She went silent for a moment. Then she quietly asked, “Is that really how everyone thinks about me? Like I’m some rabid attack dog everyone keeps on a leash until they need her?”

  “Only in the good ways, love,” Landry assured her. “They know you’re a loyal, protective friend who will always have their backs. That’s why Leigh really wants someone like you as her assistant.”

  “I just…I hate that I have that kind of rep.”

  Cris snorted. “Why? I think it’s awesome. And I thought you liked it.”

  She swatted the back of his seat. “No one asked you.”

  “It’s true, though,” he said. “About it being awesome. Look, the people who matter? They love you. The people who are terrified of you because of your reputation? They’re not people we want as friends anyway. I’d rather you have a reputation as someone to watch out for than a reputation of someone who’s a wuss people can just walk all over and use. The assholes we don’t need in our group, they steer clear of you when they find out you’re someone who doesn’t tolerate any bullshit. Mistress Cardinal might not be your preferred modus operandi, but honey? It’s a valuable weapon in your virtual arsenal. And think about it, that’s exactly what you’ll need to do this job.”